No talking in the theater
Shh! Check out the 15th International Silent Film Festival Manila
The Silence Still Roars at 15!
This year's 15th edition of the International Silent Film Festival Manila (ISFFM) will run from up to Dec. 3, 2021, and will feature six classic silent films from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United Kingdom, and nine short films especially produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to represent the Philippines, all accompanied by original musical scores from local bands and musicians.
The 2021 festival is presented by the Japan Foundation Manila, the Embassy of Italy with the Philippine Italian Association, Instituto Cervantes, the British Council in the Philippines, the Goethe-Institut Philippinen, the Embassy of France, and the FDCP.
Screenings, including international round table webinars for the ISFFM will be entirely accessible online from today up to Dec. 3 at the FDCP Channel website.
Loyal to the very essence of the festival, all silent films will be scored with original music exclusively composed and performed by local bands and musicians.
At a glance
On Nov. 25, at 3 p.m. Instituto Cervantes will screen Carceleras (José Buchs, 1922), followed by the first panel discussion at 5 p.m. that explores the theme: “How To Watch A Silent Movie,” featuring speakers presented by Spain, Italy, and Japan.
The Philippine-Italian Association will cap the day with a screening at 7 p.m. of the silent film Pinocchio (1911) directed by Giulio Antamoro.
On Nov. 26 at 3 p.m., the British Council in the Philippines will screen Dr. Wise on Influenza (1919) commissioned by the Ministry of Health. The panel discussion at 5 p.m. will be about the “Restoration and Reinventions in Film Archives” presented by speakers from the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Philippines.
Goethe-Institut Philippinen concludes the second day with the screening of Das Wachsfigurenkabinett / The Waxworks (1924) directed by Paul Leni and Leo Birinski.
On Nov. 27 at 3 p.m., the Embassy of France will screen The Foreman followed at 5 p.m. by a masterclass that explores the “History of Silent Films in the Philippines” presented by speakers from the Philippines.
At 7 p.m., the Japan Foundation Manila closes the third day with the screening of 雄呂血 Orochi(Serpent) (1925) directed by Futagawa Buntarō.
From Nov. 28 to 30, all films will be available “On-Demand” on the FDCP Channel.
Mit Out Sound
Dec. 1 to 3 will be dedicated to the screening of the nine short films produced with the very first edition of FDCP’s Mit Out Sound International Silent Film Competition.
Nine Filipino filmmakers worked with nine film composers to produce nine short silent films that represents the Philippines in this year's ISFFM. The shorts and their filmmakers are:
- Ang Tatlong Hambog by Sari Katharyn
- Ing Tianak by EJ Gagui and Marienel Calma
- Alingasngas Ng Mga Kuliglig by Vahn Leinard C. Pascual
- Ang Pagsuyo sa Paru-Paro ng Gabi by Racquel De Guzman Morilla
- Dikit by Gabriela Serrano
- Ha-Ha-Hambog by Kate Torralba and Jopie Sanchez
- I Need More Than Tofu and Other Vegetables by Hector Barretto Calma
- Putol (The Cut) by Nikolas Red
- Ang Pagdadalaga Ng Dalagang Bukid by Jose Carlos Soliongco
The Festival will culminate with a closing night of the ISSFM2021, and the awarding ceremony for the best productions of Mit Out Sound.
The 15th International Silent Film Festival Manila is organized by the Japan Foundation, Manila, the Philippine Italian Association, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Goethe-Institut, the British Council in the Philippines, the Embassy of France, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in partnership with Embassy of Italy, the Embassy of Japan, the Embassy of Spain, the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, the National Commission on Culture and The Arts, Ortigas Cinemas, Absolut Mediem, Cineteca di Milano, CNC, Alliance Française, BFI, Filmoteca Española and Matsuda Film Productions.
Check out their Facebook page for more information on schedule and inquiries.